Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-01-08
HOW WASHINGTON ENTERTAINERS.
Lecturing His Steward ON the Evils OF
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Lecturing His Steward ON the Evils of
Extravagance-The First Shad.
Gen. Washington entertained very
freely before he became president, and
the milk of 100 COWS was not enough to
supply the butter used at his Mount Ver
non home He was more economical in
the management of his presidential table,
and George Washington Parke Custis re-
lates how, severely he lectured his steward
on the evils of extravaganza in looking
over his expense accounts, which he made
him present to him weekly. The steward
was man by the name of Fraunces, who
loved Washington greatly, and who had
high idea of the state he should main
tain. At the end of each weekly lecture
he would go off crying and promising
amendment, but at the same time he
would mutter: "Well, he may discharge
me if he viii, but while he is the presi-
dent and / am his steward his establish
ment shall be supplied with the best the
whole country can afford.
President Washington was great lover
of fish. He always ate Goldfish on Satur-
day while he was the executive, to COM
pliment New England, whose fishing in
dustry at that time played a much more
important part in its economy than it
does now. Certain New England ladies,
of Philadelphia, who had special way
of cooking Goldfish, were accustomed to
send him enough for his table on this day
of every week. They would wrap it up
in cloths as soon as it was taken from the
fire and hurry it off to the presidents S
house, so that it arrived as hot as though
from his own kitchen.
One February large shad was caught
in the Delaware in advance of the season
and was brought to the market. Fraunces
saw it, and, regardless of cost, at once
seized upon it for the presidents table.
When it was brought into the dining
room Washington, noting its savory odor,
asked:
sWhat fish is that?'
"A shadI,l rep1ied Fr0unces, excitedly,
"a very fine shad! / knew your excel
lency was extravagantly fond of this fish
and was SO fortunate as to procure this
one ii the market-a solitary one, sir,
and the first of the season.
1.-The price, sir? The price? The
price, sir?'' demanded Washington,
sternly.
..Three-three-t dollars stam-
mered the steward.
.'Take it awayl Take it away, sirl"
said Washington. 1T shall never be
said that my table sets such an example
of luxury and extravagancel'
And SO the So fish was taken from the
room, to be devoured by the servants.
President Washington's cook was a
character of the time. He was handy
legged negro, named Hercules, who made
$500 year out of his perquisites of the
slops of the presidents kitchen. Every
afternoon he would strut forth from the
front door, says Mr.. Gusts, dressed as
extravagantly as any dandy Of the time,
and would take promenade on the fash
ionable thoroughfare of colonial Phila-
delphia. He wore a blue coat with a
velvet collar, a pair of fancy knee breeches
and shoes with extravagant silver buckles.
Thus attired, with cooked hat upon his
head and gold headed cane In his hand,
he strutted up and down among the beaux
and bellies until the stroke of the clock re-
minded him that he must hurry off to the
kitchen and prepare the evening meal. -
President Washington's dinners were
rather stiff affairs. But little extra prep
sration was made for transient guests
An English traveller, who breaIfasted with
Washington in 1894, during the latter
part of his second presidential term, says
the breakfast consisted of sliced tongue,
tea and coffee, dry toast and bread and
butter. The only expensive piece Of fur
niture upon the table was q silver urn foa
hot water. There was but one servant,
and Hrs. Washington made the tea and
coffee herself. Throughout his life
Washington ate but light breakfasts, and
in his old age this meal was made of In
dian cakes, honey and tea. He always
dressed for dinner, and dined about 3.
He ate heartily, but was very careful of
his diet. He always had wine at dinner,
and drank at dessert four OF five glasses
Of Madeira. His only toast was, IAN
our Friends. lie ate O Light tea. but
no supper, and was usually in bed BY 10
O'Clock. Frank @. Carpenter in Lppin-
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